Far above the academy, in a hall reserved only for the most powerful, the report was read. A single parchment, sealed with the academy's crest, now lay spread across a black table carved from obsidian stone. Around it sat three figures — heads of the Families, rulers in all but name.
The first to speak was Lady Serenya Veyra, Feyla's mother. Her presence filled the chamber before she even opened her mouth. Flowing robes of deep blue shimmered faintly, as if water moved across the fabric itself. She was tall, ageless, and her eyes held the same sharp ocean hue as Feyla's. Her family controlled water resources, trade fleets, and much of the academy's funding.
Her fingers traced the report. "A death cry from a skybeast," she murmured. "Twenty descending at once. And every child lives?" Her tone was smooth but laced with steel. "Curious."
Across from her sat Lord Arkan Dros, head of the Dros Family. His shoulders were broad, his voice like rolling thunder. His bloodline had produced some of the most powerful force-users in history — the same ability Bren now displayed in its raw form. His family controlled the military contracts and weapon forges.
"Curious?" Arkan scoffed. "It's impossible. Even a squad of trained hunters would have been slaughtered. And yet one instructor and a class of half-formed brats return alive?" His fist struck the table, the obsidian groaning under his power. "Jorin is hiding something."
The third figure, silent until now, leaned forward. Elandor Kaine, head of the Kaine Family — a pale man, sharp as a blade, dressed in shadow-black. His family dealt in intelligence, spies, and influence. Where the Veyras controlled oceans and the Dros commanded armies, the Kaines pulled the strings in the dark.
"Perhaps," Kaine said softly, his voice like silk wrapping a dagger. "Or perhaps one of the children showed more than they should have." His cold eyes flicked between the other two. "We've all heard the whispers. Strange shadows. Red light. A weapon no one recognized."
Serenya's gaze hardened. "My daughter was there. If something unnatural happened, she would have told me."
Arkan growled. "Unless she didn't see it."
Silence lingered. The three Families exchanged looks, each calculating.
Finally, Elandor Kaine spoke again. "Regardless, the academy is ours. Every student there belongs to us. If something… unusual is stirring, we will find it." His pale lips curved into the faintest smile. "And when we do, we will decide how it is used."
Serenya's voice turned cold as ice. "For now, Jorin has bought himself time. But we will send observers. Quiet ones. If he hides something, it will come to light."
Arkan leaned back, arms crossed, thunder still rumbling in his tone. "And when it does, it had better serve the Families. Or it will be destroyed."
The chamber dimmed as their decision settled over the table. The Three Families, unseen by the students below, had taken notice. And Kael's path was no longer hidden in shadow — it was now under the gaze of giants.